AQW 15350/22-27


Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 19/09/2024
Answered On Date: 27/09/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the progress to implement the Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering Sectoral Action Plan.


Answer:
Work continues with key delivery partners to implement the 25 key actions within the Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering (AMME) sectoral action plan to help grow the sector and deliver on my key economic priorities.
Actions being supported includes investing in skills and labour which have a significant impact on productivity, innovation, and supply chain. Also, greater investment in R&D and in innovative, cutting-edge technologies and methods to improve efficiency through the City and Growth Deal investments which provide access to automation, smart design, digital twinning, and artificial intelligence.
As part of the Action Plan, Invest NI offer a range of assistance to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of local operations and production lines through initiatives such as Grant for R&D support, Innovation Vouchers, Energy Efficiency Capital Grant, and the Resource Efficiency Capital Grant.
InterTradeIreland, another key delivery partner, are also supporting cross border exports and business capability including a collaborative cross border skills project between Mid-Ulster MEGA (North) and Savvy Teens (South) which sees secondary schools from both the North and South working alongside manufacturing and engineering companies across the border.
In addition, engagement is ongoing with lead officials both within and outside the Department to consider opportunities for the AMME sector within an Enhanced Investment Zone for the North of Ireland to leverage the North’s opportunities in the global transition to a green and sustainable future.
Collaboration with delivery bodies including the sector’s advisory body, the Makers Alliance, will continue including discussions around a proposal to build a super cluster to grow the AMME sector as part of a wider DfE cluster policy.